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Riding a motorcycle in wet weather is no fun. But sometimes it’s necessary if you’re stuck in traffic during a deluge or trying to get to that next motel while out touring. The best wet weather motorcycle gear can make riding under that rain cloud a bit less miserable — and trust us, we’ve tested some crappy options that can induce misery.
Here are our picks for the best wet weather motorcycle gear. We tested jackets, gloves, pants and luggage, providing premium and more affordable just-in-case options for when the ick comes crashing down on you.
If we’re talking emergency pants or a jacket, size up so the piece will slide over the top of your armored riding kit. Most items on this list are cut to allow (or come with) an insulated or wind/water protective layer underneath, but especially if you’re a four-season rider, think about sizing where you could wear something like a down vest under a jacket.
Climate Friendliness
We put a huge premium on versatility. With wet weather gear, even with membrane tech, the stuff gets hotter, so the more vents, the better. The more pockets, the better, too. And even if you’re only eyeing this list to get ideas, study those details. They matter. We rejected alternatives that don’t offer adaptability to the vicissitudes of riding, where you always seem either too hot or too cold. And where you always seem to need another pocket.
With a pull-on over-layer, we looked for something that we wouldn’t have to remove boots to don. Again, that’s a huge deal if it’s suddenly pelting hail at you. Are you really going to take off those riding jeans and boots to put on a rain pant? Neither are we. For dedicated rain pants, again, lots of venting is a big deal, but so is an inner leg design that grips the tank. On the road in the wet when traction gets sketchy you need to control the bike with your thighs, with subtle hand inputs. The more grip the better. And we prioritized pants that slide over boot-tops, since if you’ve ridden the other way around, with a pant stuffed into your boots you know that rain is running right inside and soon your boots are basically rain barrels. Not fun.
Specifics for Jackets
Yes, as with pants we targeted plenty of venting, lots of pockets, and a flexible fit that moves easily with you as you ride. We also wanted lighter color options. You’re invisible enough as a motorcyclist; under gray skies, you’re even harder to see so reflectivity and other eye-catching details get even more important.
We tested motorcycle rain gear in all weather conditions on rides along both coasts and everywhere in between.Michael Frank
We spent most of the summer testing out gear for this guide in all kinds of sloppiness, from off-road, shin-deep mud slogs to highway travel with sideways pelting. We also included some items we’ve been using for more than a year. We tested in all weather conditions on both coasts and in several locations between. We wore the gear on short trips around town, longer commutes and weekend rides.
We prioritized ease of use and versatility, but also beautiful and smart design as well as, of course, comfort. We did not test crash safety for obvious reasons. But we gave special weight to clothing with strong CE ratings and testing from other independent bodies.
Mostly subtle styling but color pops for added visibility
Cons
Fairly heavy
If you were to pick just one piece of riding clothing that you could probably pass down to your progeny, this Alpinestars jacket would probably be it. The construction is complex to a fault, but there seems to be great reasoning behind all of it.
Take, for example, how this is both a mesh jacket and a waterproof one. Alpinestars built whole mesh panels across the chest and under the entirety of the length of each arm. Even on relatively warm days, you get a lot of breathing that way. But they also add a large rear pocket to store a shawl-like layer made of laminated 2.5L DrystarXF, a waterproof-breathable membrane. If it’s cold out or starts to rain, you zip this to the front of the jacket and two slides toggle the rear. This piece even has its own vent points on the chest and belly that won’t allow water penetration, so if it was steamy but still wet out you’re protected.
Speaking of moisture, there’s even a hydration sleeve in the back of the jacket, with straw routing that works whether you’re wearing the outer skin or just the base jacket.
Protection-wise, the AMT-10R integrates with Alpinestars’s own Tech Air airbag vest, but even without it, there’s a spine armor insert, elbow and shoulder pads, leather across the shoulder, and encompassing the elbow and forearm, as well as Kevlar, all to protect during both an impact and slide, earning this jacket a CE Level 2 rating.
We also found this to be a rewarding piece to wear; despite the bulk, it rides “lighter” thanks to stretch panels throughout so you’re not fighting the piece as you move as well as a stretch band around the torso that hugs beneath your ribs when the jacket’s zipped, which has the effect of preventing the rider from tensing to support the jacket’s weight. That matters more when you fill up a hydration sleeve, too.
Onboard storage is plenty generous even beyond the two large rear pockets, with two pockets on either side at hip height, plus two more at the chest and another pair inside, one of which is waterproof, ideal for a phone or wallet.
A subtle but clever aspect of the build worth shouting out are magnetically assistive zippers that “auto-locate” the start of each zipper track. If you’ve ridden much, you know the bulk of protective riding gear can make just zipping up a challenge, and Alpinestars adds these for the second layer as well, so when you slip that on in a brewing rainstorm you’re not fighting as much just to batten the hatches.
The Alpinestars AMT-10R Drystar XF Jacket may be the most versatile item of motorcycle clothing we’ve tested in 2023. Michael Frank
If you put the average windbreaker on over your motorcycle gear you’ve got a few problems. First, you probably didn’t buy it to fit over an armored jacket, so it’s not going to fit. Oh, you could wear it beneath that armor but then what’s about to happen? Well, that protective moto piece is going to saturate with water and the inner layer is going to keep all your body’s moisture smack against your skin. As you cut through the rain at 50 mph you’re slowly going to freeze. Not good.
That’s why owning a piece like the Barrier Rain Smock is important. It’s designed to fit loosely and the chest zip is combined with a vertical one from the hip into the underarm, so you can quickly throw it on without even removing your helmet. The Hydratex|Lite and PU-coated ripstop nylon are both completely waterproof and CE-rated for slide protection.
We do wish that either the hood would be big enough to wear over a helmet or that it would tuck into the collar, but it’s good to have when you’re not riding and, say, camped under an overpass trying to stay warm while you wait out a storm. It’s also good that the jacket stuffs away into its own sack and like the REV’IT! H20 Pants, it’s ideal to have at the ready in a tail- or tank bag.
REV’IT! adds reflectivity all over this jacket, too, so not only the white color but that added detail so headlights will bounce back at drivers makes this a great safety piece for wearing when it’s not raining but there are lower visibility conditions.
This rain jacket is cut to fit over your moto gear. But we do wish the hood could accommodate a helmet.Michael Frank
Cut like a British naval officer’s peacoat, the Dainese Sheffield may look all urban and meek, but we tested it riding through muddy trails, not just for urban commuting, and it cackled at every challenge (including a minor face plant or two). Ideally, you avoid that, but we will say the waterproof, breathable D-Dry XT membrane fabric also vetoed wind and rain … and just happens to look extra sharp at the same time.
The three-quarter cut could be an issue for straddling your moto — but the zipper is a two-way job, so you can peel upwards to make that leg swing easier and then zip back down to seal out weather. It’s also ridiculously comfy — especially if you’re used to rigid-riding jackets — since there’s built-in four-way stretch, and this is despite, spin, shoulder, and elbow armor that’s CE A-rated.
Hip flap pockets are extra deep, there’s a small key holder pocket on the wrist, and the ones at the chest are great for a wallet or smaller items. Of all the items we tested for this roundup this was easily the most elegant piece, one we’d just wear daily as rain gear, and then for riding as well. That’s a pretty high bar, since most riding gear simply isn’t this comfy. Also, just because Dainese does things right, it comes with a thermal liner, too, that’s very lightweight but adds real warmth.
This jacket may look like something a naval officer would wear. But it’s ready for heavy-duty riding.Michael Frank
More compartments than a cruise ship without makign the pants feel bulky
Excellent fit and comfort
Inner thigh panels enhance tank grip
Cons
The only real flaw is the price point, which is more expensive than other options
The Divide pant became a go-to when we knew the ride would feature a lot of pavement that led to dirt and back again. Basically, our favorite kind of day on the moto. Speaking of that, despite ample mud festing and deluges of rain this summer the Divide’s waterproof-breathable Gore-Tex material still looks brand new after many adventures, and one reason we kept pulling these out of the closet is that they fit great, with a lot of protection but a less bulky design — despite a five-pocket system (all zippered) that offers a ton of extra room for tools, phone, an energy bar, multitool, etc.
One detail that’s super important for anyone who ventures off-road is leather inner-leg panels that suction to the bike’s tank. The Velcro adjusters at the waist are also great, because then you don’t need a belt (which could bind uncomfortably) and the over-boot system keeps water from topping your kicks.
Aether also includes CE Level 1 D30 EVO hip and knee armoring, for extra protection in case of a crash. Not that we wanted to test these, but on one slow-speed tip-over in the mud we were very happy to have the added impact aid.
Aether’s pants offer a ton of protection and storage options without looking like full-on dad cargo pants. Michael Frank
Wide cuff allows you to put them on over existing trousers
Cons
Not very breathable
These over-pants have saved our hide over the past two years of riding. Especially if you’d rather be cool and comfy on hotter days or really, on mild ones and tend to ride in a moto jean, carry the Acid 3 in a saddle or tank bag as a just-in-case layer. On more than one ride we’ve thrown these on under cover of a gas station or at a trailhead when the sunny weather has turned evil.
Sure, they’re baggy; yes, they also don’t breathe. Who cares?! The seam-taped waterproofing prevents turning you into a sopping-wet, miserable rider, and even though the cuffs have hook-and-loop fasteners that flare nice and wide, so you can slip these REV’IT!s on over your existing pants, they also cinch snugly to your boots, which prevents water overtopping and filling your kicks with sludge. You will not win any fashion contests with the hi-viz version, either, but consider them because if you’re street riding in the rain you’re practically invisible to cars and you need every advantage to overcome that blindness.
These pants are baggy and don’t breath very well. But they have saved us on more than one occasion over the past couple of years. Michael Frank
Slippery fabric doesn't provide extra tank grip at inner thigh
The Springbok 3L pant is built to last. One way Dainese explains this is that the pants incorporate two different zip-in systems. One is the rainproofing, that you’d put in place at the start of a day when it’s likely to pour. Why not just make the pants waterproof and breathable from the start? Because Dainese argues that even the best such systems get clogged with grit and your body’s oils and eventually the breathable component erodes. Have any old Gore-tex ski gear that now makes you clammy? That’s the proof.
Instead, if you make the waterproof layer internal and only use it when it’s needed you can also make a more breathable garment for the rest of your riding. And these pants are indeed breathable, with massive panels you can open on the thighs to suck air through them. Plus, they’re highly functional, with large suede sections at the knee for extra grip at the tank, which gets very handy as the terrain becomes technical, plus there are stretch zones so even though these trousers are burly, they remained comfy for hours of testing.
You’re also getting Level 2 armor at the knees and hips, and for defunking, the liner is treated with a silver fiber that knocks down bacteria growth.
The Springbok is the best kind of overkill garment; it seems like there’s so much going on, and then when you ride in them you forget all that and just forge ahead.
Can a pant be waterproof, breathable and highly functional at the same time? Yes, it turns out. Michael Frank
It can be tough to find weatherproof Gore-Tex riding boots that aren’t purely for the off-road crowd. The Infinity 3 GTX is that middle-ground option that’s totally comfy for a run around the corner as well as all-day rides. It’s also not so burly or heavy-duty that you’d choose something lighter and less armored instead. And it is armored: Especially at the shin and with a crush-preventing midsole. Plus its Groundtrax outsole offers great grip in the wet, so your feet stick to the pegs, standing or seated.
The reel closure system also saves time when you’re putting these on and secures your foot in place without the pinch points that some buckle systems can create.
Deficits? While these boots are reinforced at the toe, across the top of the foot that interfaces with the shifter, heel and ankle, these don’t have the hyperextension prevention and crush-proofing armor that you’ll find in an MX or true off-road kick. But that’s also why they’re more comfortable in more conditions, more walkable and lighter weight.
The TCX Infinity 3’s outsole is designed to offer great grip in the wet.Michael Frank
Require more breaking in than other boots on this list
We test a lot of adventure-focused moto boots. Usually, the approach is very kitchen sink—more of everything. But that leads to boots that walk like they’re for skiing and are usually just as heavy. The Corozol fortunately breaks that mold, while still offering excellent protection. Basically, it’s light and easy to walk in once broken in but still protective. That starts with a hefty polymer shin plate and ankle construction that wraps from the forefoot through the boot upper, limiting hyperextension potential and limiting fore, aft, medial and lateral motion. Plus there’s a steel shank at the midfoot to prevent too much twist of the sole.
Naturally, they’re waterproof and breathable, and the buckle system is great, because it’s easy to adjust the closures on the fly, like when your feet swell after hours on the bike, and the buckles stay put, even when you have to ratchet them a little harder ahead of a technical riding section where you know you’ll want maximum control, particularly while standing. The outsoles are also very grippy for that purpose. Like most aspects of the Corozol, the forefoot volume is large enough to be protective, but carefully pared, so these don’t feel clunky when you need deft control of shifting or applying the rear brake.
Yes, more MX-style boots would offer yet more protection, but if you’re really a dual-sport rider this is the boot that better fits that on/off-road rider.
These Alpinestars boots take a while to break in. But they will feel light and easy to walk in once you do. Michael Frank
This isn’t our first rodeo with Giant Loop and they’re an excellent go-to for the functionality and burliness of their gear. Radio-frequency-welded construction turns their bags into ingenious waterproof dry bags without needing a liner. (Note: We’ve used their bags as makeshift coolers more than once because, at the end of the day, you’re not hauling a cooler on a moto, but when you have a waterproof bag, a convenience store, some ice… you get the idea.)
As everyday panniers these make a ton of sense, too, and there are two ways to run them. First, Giant Loop has a pretty sweet system for anchoring them directly to any square-framed tail hardware. We tested them on a Tusk Pannier Rack designed for a KTM 390 Adventure and they secured very easily and very securely with very little fuss. But do know that means undoing the strapping each time you want to remove them, which night after night would be a chore.
Instead, you could spring for their quick-release pannier mounts. These can be threaded and screwed directly to the backside of the bags. Once that’s done the mounts have their own keyed system, so you’re getting a pretty secure system — ideal if you’re street parking and want the gear to stay put. And then, also, quick-release means just that—unlock the system and one spring-loaded clamp and you can walk with your bags, and generous grab handles at the top of each 25-liter pannier make that readily doable. Giant Loop adds anchor points for their Possibles Pouches at either end, too, and even includes backpack straps that allow you to pack mule the Mototrekks more easily when they’re not mounted.
These Giant Loop panniers are great for everyday use, rain or shine.Michael Frank
Gauntlet-style gloves prove their value when the weather turns darker and colder and you find the gap between your wrist and your jacket cuff has become a conduit for freezing you. It gets worse in the rain. That’s why you want the longer-style cuff of a glove like this, which is also reinforced with crash protection for your wrists, as well as a palm slider and an added layer of slide protection for the outside of the pinky finger.
These are also very warm gloves; when it was warm out they were too hot to test, but on chilly mornings they were a godsend, offering way more warmth than uninsulated models.
Dainese adds polyurethane armor on the finger joints, and while more cheaply made mitts might get stiff with all the added protection because these are pre-bent, your hand still has the dexterity to maintain bar grip throughout the day.
When the cold rain comes pelting down, a gauntlet style glove proves its value.Michael Frank
We almost can’t believe these are weatherproof gloves, because the comfort level is just that high. They’re also very light, and stuffable, and we love these as a secondary rain glove to have in a saddle or tank bag if (and usually when) the temps drop or the skies open up.
The reason for the great fit is down to superior stretch that allows easy bar grip without any fatigue, but the Bogota is still waterproof and breathable, and they’re insulated with 80g PrimaLoft Silver insulation. Alpinestars adds a palm slider, wraps the pinkie with an extra layer of slide protection (and bridges the pinkie and second fingers to prevent breakage of either finger during a crash), and there’s a large reinforcement zone across the entirety of the knuckle.
Like the Dainese, these also use goat leather for the fingers for added dexterity and flexibility, interspersed with stretch between the knuckles to enable easier clutch and braking work. And the bonus is that they still work with touchscreens despite all the layers of materials.
Alpinestars’s Bogota gloves use goat leather to provide more dexterity than your typical waterproof glove.Michael Frank
Sometimes waterproofing isn’t the point. When you head off-road and you’re picking your way along gingerly through goop, a bulky glove can be a detriment because you’re constantly repositioning, standing, sitting and moving around on the moto, and your hands will fry from working against a bulkier glove; you’re almost never woods riding and worrying about being cold because you’re generating so much heat yourself.
That’s where the Fox Bomber Light comes in. These gloves will stuff into any pocket and are ideal for when you need that second mitt. Since so much dirt moto for dual-sport riders is only accessible via roads, yes, you should wear a road-protective glove for that duty. But when you ditch the pavement for the grit, wet or dry, change your hand protection, too. We happen to dig Fox because its gloves tend to last longer and fit better, and the company is crammed with moto and mountain bike fans who use their products hard.
Do You Need Motorcycle Rain Gear?
Probably. Even if you live in the desert, it can rain there too — with severe intensity. And it also can get chilly at night. Many of the items on this list work just fine for cooler weather riding or when you just need an added layer of wind protection. Think of this list as items that will perform and protect you against the wet but can otherwise function as just great gear.
How to Care for Your Motorcycle Rain Gear
This may seem reductive, but clean the mud and road slime off your motorcycle rain gear when you get home. Any piece that relies on a membrane material will last longer and breathe over time if you remove visible grit from the surface. A damp cloth should work fine, but follow the item’s specific care instructions.
With panniers and other luggage, be certain the interiors are dry. On a road trip, you might be forced to stow wet clothing inside, and that’s fine. But don’t let the funk grab hold of the interiors and create a stinky, moldy mess that’s much harder to clean.
Fox gloves are designed to last longer and fit better, and they are made to be used hard.Michael Frank
